Astridge Farm Gustard Wood, Wheathampstead, St. Albans, AL4 8LA

Planning appeal 3355310 at Astridge Farm Gustard Wood, Wheathampstead, St. Albans, AL4 8LA (St Albans City Council) was allowed on 30 July 2025 by Inspector Price A, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the proposed development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies.

two-storey rear extension, side dormer window, alterations to retaining wall

Authority: St Albans City Council
Appeal type: householder · Householder (HAS)
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Householder developments
Inspector: Price A
Postcode: AL4 8LA

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether the proposed development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies
if the proposed development is inappropriate, the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
if the development is inappropriate, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposed development

What decided it

The proposed extension constitutes a proportionate addition to the original building (47% increase in floorspace) and therefore falls within the exception to inappropriate development in the Green Belt under NPPF paragraph 154.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy 1Policy 13
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 154

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

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The decision letter

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More decisions in St Albans City Council

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

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Planning permission granted8 July 20263374921
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Notice upheld8 July 20263360007
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Dismissed10 June 20266005367
Beaumont Hall Lane, Redbourn Road, Redbourn, AL3 6RN

The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.